Historic Folk Toys: Craft, 'Beginning Quilting Kit'

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Beginning Quilting KitOur Beginning Quilting Kit (4102) includes fabric, batting, stuffing, needle, thread, and instructions for a small pillow, doll blanket, and pot holder. This is a great kit for those who want to learn the basic skills of quilting, but are not ready to make a full-size quilt. The best part about our quilting kit is that it appeals to both children and adults.

Historical Background:The word "quilting" comes from the Latin word "culcita," which means a "cushion" or "stuffed mattress." There are two particular types of quilting. One is called "wadding," or English quilting, and the other type is called "cord," or Italian quilting. English quilting is the type most people are familiar with. It is the kind of quilting that describes two pieces of fabric on the outside and one layer of cotton or wool batting on the inside. The outside top piece is usually the "patchwork" piece with a design and the underneath side is plain. Stitching is done through all three layers and can be sewn intricately with beautiful designs or can be as plain as diagonal rows across the entire quilt. The sewing of the three layers together is the part that is actually referred to as the quilting.

The other type, Italian quilting, normally only uses the two pieces of fabric and no batting. The two pieces of fabric are laid together and the stitching is done in narrow lines on either side of a cord in a pattern such as a heart or some geometric design. A variation of this type of quilting is known as "padded quilting" or "trapunto quilting." This kind of quilting was historically done on white linen and featured lovely patterns of leaves, shells, circles, and other designs. Many of the patterns used in trapunto quilting have been handed down from generation to generation.

Early American quilts were made as useful items for the home and were not thought of as beautiful works of art. Quilting was merely done to keep the fabric and inside layer together to be used as a warm blanket on bedding. Over time, women proceeded to make quilting as beautiful as other needle crafts in the past. Beautiful stitching in white thread upon a plain white material has come to be regarded as one of the most beautiful types of quilts.

Quilting was practiced in ancient Greece, Egypt, China, and India as well as other places. Quilted fabric was used for clothing as well as for beds. English and Dutch colonists influenced the American quilt probably more than any other culture. Quilting in America has never ceased.

A quilting frame (which is not to be confused with a loom) can take up much space. An Early American woman would have the quilt top finished, gather her friends and neighbors together for a "quilting bee," and this piece of equipment would be set up until the quilting was finished. Quilting bees were a cherished event when women could get together, talk, and share stories with one another.

Early American quilting required much labor, careful piecing, and many complex stitches (which later quilters thought too excruciating). Women from this time period, however, reveled in the difficulties of patchwork quilting. They shared designs, bits of calico, and discussions regarding quilting with much more enthusiasm than in the late 1800s. Many women today still enjoy the intricacies of detailed quilting. Others simply enjoy the patchwork part and use a sewing machine to do the quilting.